ESSIC scientist Ali Abdolali is a co-author on a new paper in Frontiers in Marine Science titled, “A global unstructured, coupled, high-resolution hindcast of waves and storm surge”.
As climate change causes rising sea levels, coastal hazards like severe storms are expected to become more frequent. In order to understand these hazards, scientists need to have accurate information on waves and storm surges. Despite recent advancements in the development and application of large-scale coastal models, nearshore processes are still not sufficiently resolved.
The researchers developed a coupled circulation-wave model with global coverage and conducted 73-year period hindcast, specifically focusing on about 50 km offshore to about 2-4 km nearshore globally. They applied hourly data of sea level pressure, wind speed and sea ice concentration. They then compared the results of the model with observations from satellite altimeters, tidal gauges and buoys to assess the model’s accuracy. They found that the model had an improved ability to predict sea surface height, significant wave height, and nearshore dynamics compared to previous, lower-resolution studies. This dataset offers the potential for more accurate global-scale applications on coastal hazard and risk.
Dr. Ali Abdolali is a highly accomplished Physical Scientist with an illustrious career spanning both governmental agencies such as NOAA and ERDC and academia. Throughout his career, he has led teams of scientists to accomplish groundbreaking projects in the field of climate modeling, specializing in the development of wave and surge models and the integration of coupled models within Earth System frameworks. Ali’s pioneering work in the realm of tsunamis and acoustic gravity waves has resulted in the creation of innovative methods for tsunami early warning systems. His research has garnered widespread recognition and has been published in prestigious journals including Nature, Journal of Fluid Mechanics, and Journal of Geophysical Research, among others. With over 30 peer-reviewed publications and a wealth of conference proceedings to his name, Ali’s exceptional contributions continue to push the boundaries of our understanding of Earth’s complex systems, ultimately enhancing our capacity to predict and respond to environmental hazards.
To access the paper, click here: “A global unstructured, coupled, high-resolution hindcast of waves and storm surge”.
